- He'll be where? - On the front steps.
[indistinct chatter]
[cars accelerate]
[indistinct chatter]
Whoa. Look over there!
Guildmaster Baek from the White Tigers!
[MALE REPORTER 1] And Jong-in Choi
from the Hunters Guild!
This place is crawling with press.
Any idea what they're doing here?
Excuse me. Are the two of you here to recruit Minsung Lee?
[YOONHO] Who the hell is Minsung Lee?
He's not the reason I'm here, so I have no comment.
As I understand it,
Mister Lee has already signed a contract
with the Reaper Guild.
We have other business to see to.
That's too bad.
Woulda really spiced things up, you know.
[MALE REPORTER 2] Jeez, what a waste of time.
I heard some news, by the way.
About how the Hunters Guild ran into a little trouble
with a near S-rank gate.
It wasn't too bad,
especially not compared to the red gate
that claimed a rookie A-rank leader
- from the White Tigers. - [Yoonho scoffs]
[YOONHO] Way I hear it,
you were just about to give us a call.
[CHOI] Thankfully, because of him,
that wasn't necessary.
It's only right for the Hunters Guild
to offer a very warm reception to show our gratitude.
[YOONHO] Oh, don't be ridiculous!
He saved our asses, too.
Plus that raid left us down an A-rank.
So you want to fill that spot with an S-rank?
Sounds like you're looking to start a war?
You're one to talk!
Don't give me any of that holier than thou crap!
[both growling]
[LIM] Well, well...
if it isn't Jong-in and Yoonho.
Fellas.
You're not here to try to snatch Minsung from us, are ya?
[BOTH] I told ya I don't give a damn about Minsung
or whatever the hell his name is!
All right, sorry I asked.
Geez, don't bite my head off.
[JINWOO] That's a whole lotta people.
Hell's goin' on?
[STUDENT 1] Check it out! It's Minsung's
press conference!
[STUDENT 2] Oh, you mean that actor guy?
[STUDENT 1] Apparently, he's like a total playboy.
- Yeah, they call him... - Did you hear that?
Whatever it is, I don't care.
[MINSUNG] First off, I'd like to thank you
for gathering here today.
As I'm sure you're all aware.
I, Minsung Lee,
recently awakened as a hunter.
And today is the day of my assessment.
I've struggled with this decision
from the moment I awakened.
But now, I've finally made up my mind
to bravely confront my destiny head on!
I've already spoken to Guildmaster Tae-Gyu Lim,
and he's agreed to let me fight for the Reaper Guild!
If you're joining a guild, are your acting days over?
[MALE REPORTER 1] Don't you think this is a bit premature?
[MALE REPORTER 2] Will you mainly be focusing
on your hunter duties?
[MINSUNG] How gullible can you be?
I've already gotten my A-rank.
My contract with the Reapers is only for two years.
I'll dabble in hunting long enough
for people to forget all about my scandals.
And after that,
leverage my A-rank status
to push my acting career back into the spotlight!
No matter what rank I end up being,
I'm fully prepared to fight with everything I--
[MANAGER] I'm going to need you to stop right there!
Can't you see all these reporters?
You're in the way! Buzz off!
Um... I have business with the Association.
[MANAGER] It can wait!
[MINSUNG] How could this idiot be so oblivious?
You can't go in through this entrance!
- Now get out of here! - [GUNHEE] I'm afraid
that isn't your decision to make.
[MANAGER] Uh. Chairman Go!
You see, this young man here is a guest of mine.
I seem to recall asking you to refrain
from holding a press conference at this hour.
- [gasps] I just-- - This way.
Come along with me... - Thought it would be
- good publicity. - ...Hunter Sung.
Argh! What the hell am I supposed to do now?
I'll be right back,
I need to confer with the Association.
Unfortunately, another hunter
is being assessed at the moment.
I'm afraid you won't be able to enter
until they're done.
[whispering] Come on, dude.
You gotta know who I am, right?
A single word from me,
and you're out of a job, my guy.
Sorry to say, but I don't recognize you at all.
And if you insist on trying to get in,
I'll have to remove you from the premises.
[gasps]
[JINWOO] Hm.
After hearing about today,
they came to see your reassessment in person.
The prospect of the first S-rank hunter
to appear in two years has piqued their interest.
[gate whirring]
[ASSOCIATE 1] Before we begin the reassessment,
I'd like to confirm the nature of your hunter abilities.
Would you mind showing us what you can do, Hunter Sung?
Well, for starters, I can do this.
Ah, you can create and control a summon.
So your specialty is summoning magic, I take it?
Yeah, uh, I guess you can say that.
[GUNHEE] Hunter Sung.
Manager Woo has given me
detailed reports of your abilities.
You aren't going to hold out on us, are you?
[JINWOO] Right,
guess the cat's out of the bag at this point.
♪
[gasps]
I can summon around a hundred more.
[ASSOCIATE 1] D-did you say a hundred?
Unbelievable!
[CHOI] His magic power is tremendous!
[YOONHO] That's enough to overwhelm even me.
Is this guy for real?
He continues to astound me.
[ASSOCIATE 1] Thank you for your patience.
Your reassessment is now complete.
And here is your updated hunter ID.
[JINWOO] Nice.
Now I can sell the Sphere of Avarice
with no problems.
And then I can afford the gear I need
to clear the Demon's Castle.
[GUNHEE] It's official.
I'd like to congratulate you on becoming an S-rank Hunter.
I'm looking forward to seeing
what you decide to do with that strength.
I have high hopes for you.
♪
[CHOI] It's an honor to welcome the newest S-rank.
Perhaps you would allow me
to thank you for your assistance?
Our guild is in your debt.
And ours too.
If you have some time to chat,
I would love to discuss something important with you.
- Uh. - Sorry, guys,
but I, uh, got some errands to run right now.
Wait! Not there!
[JINWOO] Huh? Not where?
- [cameras clicking] - Huh!
[gasps]
Hey, Jinah?
[JINAH] Yeah?
Is that... Whoa, no way.
- Stop shaking me. - Jinwoo.
Your brother popped up on the stream.
[JINAH] What? Hm.
[FEMALE REPORTER] Hunter Sung, over here, please.
[reporters clamoring]
What the heck is happening over there?
[YOONSEOK] Hm. That kid really did make the news.
I warned you, but you didn't listen!
I tried telling you guys
that he had the eyes of a killer!
There's no knowing what messed-up stuff he's done!
[REPORTER 1] Hunter Sung has been officially
recognized as S-rank.
[screams]
[REPORTER 1] ...certified announcement yet,
it seems his S-rank status has been confirmed
in the Association's database!
Which would mean Jinwoo Sung has now become
the tenth S-rank hunter in the country!
The first to emerge in over two years
since the awakening of Hunter Cha!
Uhh...
[cameras clicking]
[REPORTER 2] An S-rank?
No, wait! But this was
- my press conference. - [REPORTER 3] Don't let him
slip away! Come on!
[JINHO] I wasn't able to get
Hunter Sung to accept the offer.
That's a shame.
Hmm.
[JINWOO] Sorry.
I can't accept.
There's still something I gotta do on my own.
And to do it,
I need to keep fighting,
get even stronger than I am now.
Joining an organization would only complicate things.
Hmm.
- [JINWOO] Jinho. - Uh?
How 'bout this instead?
[JINHO] He, um,
he actually asked me to join him.
[gasps]
[MYUNGHAN] I hope you realize
how that decision would be quite selfish.
Hmm.
[MYUNGHAN] I had every intention
of letting Jinsung run this operation.
But then, you came in and begged me for a chance,
and despite all of your extravagant claims,
you have accomplished nothing.
And now you want to run off and work somewhere else?
You can't be serious.
I'm sorry, Father.
I've made up my mind.
I'm going to follow Hunter Sung!
♪
[breathes shakily]
[MYUNGHAN] I see.
Then you had best be prepared for the consequences.
[gulps]
[GUARD 1] Everyone, stand back!
Please keep a reasonable distance! Hey!
[GUARD 1] Don't push!
[YOONHO] Trust me, you don't wanna deal with the press.
Here, why don't you let us give you a lift home?
I'll be fine.
[gasps]
[reporters clamoring]
Despite being a mage-type hunter,
his athletic abilities are simply incredible.
You okay, Yoonho?
[gasps]
[YOONHO] He moved so fast my eyes couldn't track him.
He's even stronger than he was before.
How is that possible?
♪
[JINWOO] It's time to gear up.
[APPRAISER 1] Ah, Hunter Sung,
we've been expecting you.
You're in the market for
flame-resistant type artifacts, yes?
May I inquire about the specifics?
I need protection in a dungeon that gets pretty hot.
[APPRAISER 1] Oh, I don't blame you!
Well, if that's the case,
these might be just what you're looking for.
A cape you can wear on top of your clothes,
and a ring that's easy to equip.
Oh, yeah, that's nice!
[APPRAISER 1] And they should be well within your budget
at these prices.
Oh!
Could I maybe get a discount?
[appraiser 1 laughs]
[APPRAISER 1] Well, my apologies,
but the listed prices are the only ones
our establishment offers.
That said, you wouldn't have to give us any money whatsoever
if you're able to shatter this glass.
Everything in the case would be yours.
[JINWOO] Huh?
You see, it's magically enhanced glass,
constructed to withstand blows from an A-rank brawler.
[JINWOO] This glass?
I can sense magic power, but not that much.
[inhales deeply]
Wait, please don't do it!
I'm sorry, it was only a joke.
Even if the glass isn't completely broken,
abnormal tremors will summon security.
[JINWOO] Oh, my God... I thought you...
Um, I'm so sorry!
No. Now I see it was in poor taste.
[chuckles softly] Well, uh,
I'm shopping for some other stuff, too.
Like, new daggers.
[APPRAISER 2] Excellent, sir.
If it's weaponry that you're after
allow me to assist.
Right this way.
[footsteps receding]
Hm.
[APPRAISER 1] But, he only prepared to punch it.
[glass cracks]
[JINWOO] Okay, okay.
What's the price?
[APPRAISER 2] That item.
Sells for this much.
[JINWOO] For this?
It's only about as strong as the Venom Fang.
Oh. Um, hang on.
[APPRAISER 2] Is there a problem?
[JINWOO] Nope, just grabbing something.
How much would this guy sell for, you think?
[APPRAISER 2] It's certainly impressive.
I can tell the craftsman had quite the eye for detail.
[JINWOO] Eh, I got this thing on sale from the system store.
If I were you, I wouldn't accept
anything less than a hundred million.
A hundred mill?
[JINWOO] I only paid like 3 million gold.
If the store's items go for this much
I might not even need to sell the Sphere of Avarice.
[JINWOO] Can I use your bathroom real quick.
Oh, of course.
[YOONHO] I knew he wasn't a lightweight by any means.
What I saw goes far beyond strength.
The magic I sensed in the assessment lab
the athleticism he showed outside of it.
Seems he's still improving even though his reawakening
should have long past,
which would be a first for hunters.
What if he didn't reawaken?
Can a hunter whose strength grows over time really exist?
[bird chirping]
[groans]
[JINAH] [sighs] They finally took a hike.
Now, I can head to school without being bombarded.
[JINWOO] By the press?
The Association must've chased them off.
You suck! Why'd you have to go and make a huge scene?
- Like, you could've told me you were gonna be on TV! -Hey, hey!
How's that my fault?
Oh, by the way,
I'm gonna be out for about a week
starting tomorrow.
What? Again? For work?
- [doorbell rings] - Uh.
- Could you people get the f-- - Bro!
Jinho Yoo reporting in, boss! Your sidekick is back!
Is he a reporter, or some buddy of yours?
]JINHO] Oh, hi, you must be Jinwoo's sister!
I'm his reliable right-hand man, Jinho Yoo!
- [JINAH] Uh-huh. - Huh!
- Uh... - This guy and I are going
on that week-long work trip tomorrow.
Like, as in tomorrow morning?
- What do you mean? - What do I mean. Y'know?
That job.
[groans] How could I forget?
This job has been weighing on my shoulders, unbearably!
Hmm?
[snoring]
[groans]
[JINWOO] They left, but...
journalists are nothing if not persistent.
Come forth.
Wait. I thought Tusk had four bodyguards.
Where's the last one?
Right!
I forgot about that guy, since I kinda put him
through the ceiling.
Well, whatever.
Three should be fine since you're all pretty tough.
You, stay behind and keep watch.
I'm entrusting you with Jinah.
Counting on you.
[JINWOO] I'll take a few more precautions while I'm at it.
Start your patrol.
Might make the city a bit safer,
come to think of it.
[water burbling]
[JINHO] Thanks for letting me stay the night.
You're a real one.
Of course, man, I got you.
But what's your plan going forward?
It's not like he's forcing you to move out.
Gotta own up to the consequences, right?
Anyway, what's this job at the DS Tower?
Yesterday, you mentioned it would be a week-long thing.
Yeah, I, uh, guess, you could call it training.
You're saying you're trying to get even stronger?
Why do that after earning an S-rank, though?
[JINWOO] Why not?
Thanks, Jinho. I'll be back.
I know. Stay safe, okay?
[JINWOO] A ring enchanted with water
a cape with wind.
That'll keep the heat off nicely.
The Demon's Castle is waiting.
Let's get it.
There's a second part?
"The Demon Monarch, Baran, resides on the highest floor.
Defeat Baran and collect his soul." Yeah, yeah.
Rewards are a Rune Stone for Shadow Exchange!
That sounds like a necromancy skill!
Better reward than last time! I'll take the extra motivation.
Time to pick up where we left off.
Warp to the 75th floor
[SANG-MI] I can't believe that Jinho
would suddenly pack his bags and leave home.
Surely you're missing him.
A troublesome child has stretched his wings
and flown the nest.
What's really surprising is how long he wait...
[groans] That's strange.
What's strange, dear?
- [MYUNGHAN] It's getting dark. - Are you all right?
- [thuds] - [SANG-MI] Honey!
[rumbling] [fire roaring]
[stomping]
[JINWOO] Time for a test drive. You're up, Tusk.
[growls]
[electricity crackling]
♪
[explosion]
Uh!
[JINWOO] Blown clean off its feet
and that's after Tusk was nerfed!
I'll be more strategic with that move in the future.
But yeah, the Sphere of Avarice is all yours, Tusk.
[MYUNGHAN] I see.
So, Jinho came to visit.
[SANG-MI] He did.
I told him you collapsed from exhaustion.
Ah. Did you now?
It's the Eternal Sleep Disease?
[MALE DOCTOR] That's correct. It typically begins
as abrupt spells of drowsiness,
then eventually transitions into a lasting coma.
And how was I infected with this disease?
[MALE DOCTOR] Most likely from prolonged exposure to mana.
It tends to occur in people with naturally low resistance.
Mister Yoo,
are there any hunters among your immediate family?
Oh, no!
Oh, honey.
Hmm.
Our son is a hunter.
[MALE DOCTOR] Granted, we can't be certain
that's the cause in your case, but...
[rattling]
[MYUNGHAN] The entire planet
is steeped in magic power these days,
and I'm intolerant to it.
Hmm.
Is the world rejecting me?
Am I being culled?
[MALE HUNTER 1] Nothing beats a peaceful afternoon, huh?
[MALE HUNTER 2] Yeah, you said it.
Wanna use what's left of it to fish?
We're on patrol.
No slacking, got it?
- Huh? - Huh?
[MALE HUNTER 2] What is that?
[seagulls squawking]
[JINWOO] Looks like dispatching six shadow squads
is already paying off,
good way to be efficient.
I made it pretty simple by only giving them
two orders to follow.
One, slay every enemy they encounter in their search.
Two, report to me if they find an entry permit.
I am missing out on some loot this way,
but I make much faster progress in exchange.
Or I was making progress.
We've been on the 80th floor
for two days.
I just don't get why the pace slowed down.
[exhales] Where's the damn permit?
Hm?
Something's destroying the shadows, and fast.
Looks like it's squad A,
but I didn't think any of these demons
would be a problem for my high orcs.
Gotta call 'em back, they're getting thrashed.
Let's see why, c'mon.
[clothes rustle]
Squad B was also mysteriously slaughtered
Whatever is responsible must be pretty fierce.
It's weird, though.
Tusk's squad was the one closest to squad A
when it went down.
So why go after squad B next?
They're weaker, sure,
but they were further away.
If this enemy realized they couldn't beat Tusk,
they must possess some level of intelligence.
And if they're gauging strength,
I know which squad they'll target next.
[growls]
♪
[roars]
[groans]
♪
[groans]
[JINWOO] Makes sense.
No wonder my weaker shadow squads
were annihilated.
[spear swinging]
[Jinwoo grunts]
[crashes]
♪
[JINWOO] You know, I've always wondered.
Do demons like you feel fear?
[footsteps approaching]
[chuckles softly]
You're shaking.
I guess I have my answer.
♪